Britannia Campaign: Turn 8 - 9th Legion Invasion of Mona

 Turning now to what could be the final action of the campaign, the Roman invasion of Mona (Anglesey).

The 9th Legion have crossed the Menai Strait and landed on Mona. The scenario book gives the option of a beach landing but as I will be trying out another set of rules I have decided to keep this more simple. The Romans have just landed when the warbands turn up with one command still on the beach.

For this game I will be using 'Hail Caesar' rules. The original, not the 2nd edition. It's hard to believe now but it is over 10 years since I trialled them using 15mm figures. They did not grab me at the time and they have languished on my bookshelves ever since. 

Using this campaign as a testbed for various rules and given that they were designed for Hail Caesar it seemed silly to not at least give them a try. 

Few changes are needed for conversion to 6mm. I will be using cms instead of inches. The unit sizes are as follows: Small = 1 base, Standard = 2 bases, Large = 4 bases. Each base has a 40mm width.

The orders of battle are a combination of those contained within the book, my own and what I have available.

Board size is 5'3" x 3'9".

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 8 - 2nd Legion v The Dobunni

 

Focussing on the south west, the 2nd Legion deals with a rebellion by the Dobunni tribe and is the setting for the next game.

I will be using the L'Art De La Guerre rules again but on this occasion I have balanced the points at around 270 to give a more even game.

The initial setup with the Britons on the left having rolled as the attackers once again. Terrain was determined using the Age of Hannibal rule system modified to reflect the type of terrain to be found in this part of the country. The table size has been reduced to 4'6" x 3' reflecting the smaller size of armies deployed.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 7 - 9th Legion v The Cornovii

 

This action focuses on the 9th Legion's advance on Mona. The Cornovii tribe had previously indicated a willingness to be allies to Rome. As the 9th Legion marched through their territory they had a change of heart and rebelled. 

For this game I shall be using L'Art De La Guerre (ADLG) rules for the first time. The orders of battle will remain largely unchanged - more of this later.

Initial dispositions. The Cornovii are the attackers on the left. They have a normal camp and the Romans on the right have a fortified camp.

I retained the 'Age of Hannibal' method of terrain placement which, I felt, was more suited to solo play. All terrain cards were placed face down by each side with just minor adjustments when revealed. 

The river is impassable apart from the ford. At the top of the photo, the stream is classed as difficult terrain. Both woods are also difficult. 

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 6 - 16th Legion v The Iceni

 

The 16th Legion have retraced their steps to deal with the Iceni rebellion which is the setting of the next battle, again using the Age of Hannibal rules.

The Iceni have the initiative and will be the attackers. Only skirmishers can pass through marshes and the lake is impassable. 

The Iceni have a particularly high proportion of light units (skirmishers and light horse) along with chariots. Their lieutenant is placed in command of the light horse, chariots and medium horse on the left. They are tasked with pinning the Roman legionary cohorts while the warbands under the direct command of the chieftain seek to punch through the Roman left, a mix of legionaries and auxiliaries.

Good news for the Romans, their lieutenant has arrived sober!

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 5 - 16th Legion v The Catuvellauni

 I will start with an overview of the campaign situation:

Turn 5: 20th Legion returns to Londinium having pacified the Cantii. In the west. the 2nd Legion moves on the Dobunni tribe who immediately declare themselves as allies of Rome.

In the midlands, the 16th Legion seeks to clear the way for the 9th Legion who are tasked with capturing Mona. The Catuvellauni tribe are expected to be allies and it therefore comes as some surprise to the 16th when they find the warbands arrayed for battle.

The Romans on the left anchor their flanks on a small pond (top of photo) which is impassable to all, and a marsh which is only passable by skirmishers.

The Catuvellauni tribe on the right have their warbands and chariots positioned in the centre with cavalry and some skirmishers on their flanks.

Most terrain is clear and all woods are passable.

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Britannia Campaign: Turn 4 - 20th Legion v The Cantii

 

The situation in turn 4. The Cantii have rebelled necessitating the 20th Legion, held in reserve around Londinium, to be despatched for lessons to be administered.

This is the setting for the next game of the campaign:

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Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 4

A reminder of the colour coding for the British tribes. Green - pacified, orange - allied, blue - rebelling. 

The events this turn saw the 2nd Legion defeat the Durotriges tribe and is now pacified. The 16th Legion moved north to the Iceni who remarkably agreed to be allies. Should they be trusted! The 9th Legion has moved north to the territory owned by the pacified Trinovantes prior to advancing towards the Catuvellauni.

A problem has arisen for the Romans however, when the normally amenable Cantii tribe have rebelled. The 20th Legion that had been held in reserve, move to deal with the rebellion and will be the subject of the next battle. 

Britannia Campaign: Vespasian's 2nd Legion v The Durotriges

-Vespasian moves west into the land of the Durotriges leading the 2nd Legion. The rolling countryside is topped by numerous hillforts. It becomes clear that this tribe is more content to sit in their fortifications from which they will need to be ejected. 

Table Size: 6' x 3'9"

Figures: 6mm Mostly Baccus and some Rapier

Rules: My own (based on General de Brigade)

ORDERS OF BATTLE

Roman

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

2nd Legion: 1st Cohort 52 figures. 6 x cohorts of 36 figures each, 1 of 34 and 2 of 32.

4 x Scorpios

Auxiliaries -

1 x Medium Cavalry cohort 30 figures

1 x Light Cavalry cohort 28 figures

1 x Equitata cohort - 1 x 12 light cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry

2 x Batavian cohorts each 1 x 12 medium cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry

2 x Auxiliary infantry cohorts each 36 figures

Total 617 figures

Durotriges

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

1 unit of 30 medium cavalry

1 unit of 16 light cavalry

2 units of 12 light cavalry

2 units of 6 light cavalry

1 x warband 72 figs

2 x warbands of 60 figs

1 x warband of 50 figs

4 x warbands of 40 figs

2 x warbands of 36 figs

2 units of 20 Slingers

2 units of 20 Javelinmen

Total 642 figures

An overview at the start. The Romans deploy around the fort with all infantry ready to form testudos when necessary.  

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Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 3

 With the 16th Legion's victory over the Trinovantes now complete, we move onto the next map turn -

TURN 3

The 16th Legion posts a garrison and prepares itself for its onward march.

The 9th and 20th Legions move to the area around what will become Londinium with a cohort from the latter forming a garrison in Kent.

Vespasian's 2nd Legion advances into Dorset and Somerset where it meets the Durotriges tribe who prove none too friendly! Yet another British tribe to be enlightened to the Roman way!

Being in the south west an iron age hillfort is a must. Before I can play out this next game I just have to model one!

Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 4 of 4 - Turns 10 to Conclusion

 Turn 10

The 9th Cohort pressed on charged a unit of chariots who counter-charged. The outnumbered chariots were easily defeated with 3 more crew killed for no Roman loss. The last remaining chariots routed. 

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Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 3 of 4 - Turns 6 to 9

Turn 6

The Roman Legate is anxious to press forward and deal with the warbands in front of him given the concerning messages he is receiving from his left wing. He has been frustratingly delayed by the activities of Trinovantes skirmishers, chariots and light horse. Here the 9th Cohort has been charged by the chariots (middle of photo). They defeated them in the subsequent melee and have pushed them back.

In response to bad news from the Tribune in command of the Roman left, the large 1st Cohort has been ordered to that flank (middle left).

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Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 2 of 4 - Turns 1 to 5

Turn 1

The chariots, light horse and skirmishers on the Britons right flank surge forward eager to engage the approaching Roman line.

On the Roman left, they steadily advance and observe the rapidly approaching barbarians.

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Britannia Campaign: 16th Legion v Trinovantes Part 1 of 4 - Introduction

The second battle of the campaign involves the 16th Gemima Legion advancing into what is present day Suffolk. They hoped to persuade the local Trinovantes tribe to ally with Rome but as they approached a village at the mouth of an estuary there appeared to be little prospect of that.

A reminder of the present situation -

As the Roman Legions begin their advance into England the Atrebates tribe have now been pacified (see previous battle) and the Cantii allied. 

The task for the 16th Legion is to seize and hold the East, Midlands and North. 

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Britannia Campaign: Map Moves Turn 2

 

An overview of the map at end of turn 2

With the Atrebates tribe now pacified the 2nd Legion prepares to advance on the south west. It leaves one cohort of auxiliaries as a garrison.

The 16th Legion move out towards the east. The powerful Trinovantes tribe have no intention of allowing the Romans to advance any further which sets the scene of the next clash in the Britannia campaign.

Britannia Campaign: Vespasian v The Atrebates

As Vespasian moves inland with the 2nd Legion with the expectation that allies would be quickly formed with the Atrebates, scouts hurriedly return informing him of an approaching large force of Celts. Clearly the Romans were going to have to stamp their authority on these barbarians from the start. An example would have to be made.

Crossing the South Downs Vespasian deployed in a defensive position and awaited the approach of the Atrebates warbands.

Table Size: 4'6" x 3'

Figures: 6mm Baccus and Rapier

Rules: My own (based on General de Brigade)

ORDERS OF BATTLE

Roman

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

2nd Legion: 1st Cohort 60 figures. 9 x cohorts of 36 figures each
4 x Scorpios

Auxiliaries -

1 x Medium Cavalry cohort 30 figures
1 x Light Cavalry cohort 30 figures
1 x Equitata cohort - 1 x 12 light cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry
2 x Batavian cohorts each 1 x 12 medium cavalry + 1 x 24 Aux infantry)
3 x Auxiliary infantry cohorts each 36 figures
1 x Auxiliary archers cohort of 36 figures

Total 668 figures

Atrebates

1 x CinC + 2 sub-commanders

1 unit of 8 light chariots
1 unit of 24 medium cavalry
2 units of 16 light cavalry
2 units of 12 light cavalry
1 x warband 72 figs
1 x warband 60 figs
5 x warbands of 40 figs
2 x warbands of 30 figs
1 unit of 16 Slingers
2 units of 16 Javelinmen

Total 536 figures

River is impassable - Vespasian located a ford on his approach to his position and used it to cross his Scorpios and escorting cohorts. He was not aware of another ford off table behind the Atrebates position although guessed this may be a possibility.

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Britannia Campaign: Introduction to Rome's Invasion of Britain

Over the past few months 3 new campaigns have been started. I now introduce you to my new ancients campaign which for me is a first for this period.

It is based on the Hail Caesar supplement "Britannia: Rome's Invasion of Britain". This is the invasion of 43AD and not Julius Caesar's of 54BC. 

The book features various historical scenarios and a campaign system. That system is designed for a fast moving game allowing opponents to conclude it in a relatively short amount of time. As readers of the blog know that is not really for me. I like my campaigns to be pretty deep and involving for the most part.

That said, this campaign does look interesting with plenty of potential. I have therefore taken its core components such as map, routes of movement and orders of battle adding my own detail to make it more involved.

Starting with the orders of battle. In the book you select a force of around 12 units from the Roman list whereas I have included every unit listed. To balance this out I have increased the size of the Ancient British tribes by approximately 50%. 

Each one of my Roman legions will consist of 1 cohort of 60 figures and 9 of 36 giving a figure ratio of around 1:13. Auxiliary cohorts are of similar strength. I have given the Ancient British tribes units of varying sizes with the overall tribal structure as listed in the book.

Also taken from the book is the method of calculating whether a tribe revolts or becomes allied. Each tribe is allocated a D6 number to be rolled and if equalled or exceeded it will rebel. They test as soon as they come into contact with a Roman force and in addition, any one other tribe may test each turn. This can include tribes that have allied themselves to Rome. If a tribe is defeated in battle it is classed as pacified and cannot rebel.

To win the Romans must capture Mona and have pacified or allied all tribes. Unlike the book I have not set any time limit for this. Again, unlike the book this will mean that potentially the Romans could be ejected from Britain. 

The rules I shall be using will be my own using the General de Brigade engine. This has been a work in progress over the past couple of years and I am now approaching the point in which I am reasonably happy with them. 

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Ancient and Medieval Wargaming Rules Test Game

Having recently acquired Neil Thomas' Ancient and Medieval Wargaming rules, primarily for the Wars of the Roses campaign, I had the itch to give them a test game. It also gave me an opportunity to get out my Early Imperial Roman and Ancient British figures. This game was played on a 2'3" x 2'3" table.

As can be seen, I planned this being the most basic of games just to get the feel for the rules. I am not a fan of generic sized units but for this test outing I have stuck with the 4 bases per unit as recommended with an orbat drawn from the army lists included in the book (1 for artillery). 

I have used the 'Classical Warfare' module and the only change I have made was to add a command and control system (there are none in the rules). I settled on a slight variation of the 'Hail Caesar' system but limiting the number of moves a unit can make to 2 rather than the designed 3. As this is a relatively small battle there will be just one commander for each side. 

The Ancient British consist of 5 units of warband, 2 x slingers, 3 x light chariots and 2 x light cavalry. 

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